A whole home warranty, also known as a home warranty or home protection plan, is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of certain home appliances and systems (such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical) that may break down due to normal wear and tear. The coverage and cost of a whole home warranty can vary depending on the provider and the specific plan purchased. These plans can provide peace of mind for homeowners by covering unexpected repair costs.
Three reasons a whole home warranty is beneficial:
- It can help cover the cost of repairs or replacements for appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
- It can provide peace of mind, knowing that you have a resource to turn to in case something goes wrong with your home.
- It can save you money in the long run, as the cost of repairs or replacements for covered items can be expensive.
Two reasons it may be a waste of money:
- It may not cover all of the items in your home that you want covered.
- The cost of the warranty may be more than the cost of the repairs or replacements you would need.
When shopping around for different whole home warranty companies, you should compare the following:
- Coverage: Make sure to carefully review the coverage offered by each company to ensure that it covers all the items you want protected.
- Exclusions: Be aware of any exclusions that may apply to coverage, such as age or condition of the appliances or systems being covered.
- Cost: Compare the cost of each company’s warranty to ensure you are getting a good value for your money.
- Service Call Fee: Check if there is any service call fee that you need to pay when you make a claim, and if so, compare the prices among different companies.
- Reputation: Research the reputation of the companies you are considering by reading customer reviews and looking for any complaints or negative ratings.
- Claim Process: Compare the process of making a claim and how easy it is to get repairs or replacements done.
- Customer Service: Find out how responsive and helpful the customer service is, check how easy it is to contact them, and what are the hours of operation.
- Contract terms: Check the length of contract and any other terms and conditions that come with it, such as renewal and cancellation policies.
By comparing these factors, you can make an informed decision about which home warranty company best meets your needs and budget, there may be additional factors to consider, but this will start you in the right direction and you will be able to make a better, informed design.
While you are at it, check out Home Improvement Projects You Should Not D-I-Y.
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